1871 Water Well Memorial
Santa Fe engineers were surveying and platting the Newton town site on Section 17 in March 1871. Captain David L. Payne, state legislator from this district, and other early settlers saw the urgent need for domestic drinking water. Captain Payne agreed to supervise the digging of a well in the center of 5th and Main Street intersection.
It was the only domestic drinking water in Newton for several months, and considered the best water for several years thereafter.
The small concrete plaque in the center of this intersection marks the location of the historic well.
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
